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Michael van Gerwen moved clear at the top of the McCoy’s Premier League as James Wade, Simon Whitlock and Raymond van Barneveld all also grabbed important victories in Sheffield on Thursday evening.
van Gerwen claimed a brilliant triumph against world number one Phil Taylor before going on to edge out Wade, who had earlier seen off Adrian Lewis with an equally delightful display at the Motorpoint Arena.
van Gerwen, who also faces a double-header in Dublin next Thursday, was delighted with his evening’s exploits.
“To beat Phil Taylor in the Premier League was a huge moment for me,” said the world number two.
“I had targeted at least two points tonight so to go on and take on all four makes me very happy.
“I felt that I was much the better player against Phil and then I had to win a game that wasn’t as good against James.
“Maybe, playing twice affected us both but winning is the most important thing.”
The tenth night of action began with Whitlock, who survived a relegation scare last week, getting back to winning ways against Robert Thornton.
Wade then swept past Lewis with a 7-2 success, in which ‘The Machine’ averaged around 104 and hit five 180s before van Gerwen took to the stage against Taylor in a repeat of January’s World Championship final.
‘The Power’ prevailed on that occasion but ‘Mighty Mike’ stormed to victory in Yorkshire, also averaging 104 in a comfortable 7-3 triumph.
van Barneveld then earned a hard fought win against Andy Hamilton to leave himself tied on 14 points with Wade and van Gerwen at the top of the table.
It was van Gerwen who was to take a clear lead as he increased his tally to 16 with a 7-5 victory over the 2009 champion.
Next Thursday sees the tournament reach Dublin, where ‘Barney’ will take on Taylor and van Gerwen, who will also face Lewis.
Wade and Thornton will do battle at the O2, where Whitlock will play Hamilton.
By Chris Murphy
Visit Michael van Gerwen’s official website for further report and reaction
Visit James Wade’s official website for further report and reaction
Visit Raymond van Barneveld’s official website for further report and reaction
Visit Simon Whitlock’s official website for further report and reaction
Tickets to see some of the stars of Premier League Darts in exclusive events around the UK are available NOW at www.dartshop.tv
James Wade and Michael van Gerwen are both preparing for a double header in Sheffield, which sees the pair play their tenth and eleventh fixtures of the McCoy’s Premier League Darts season.
The top of the table duo are set to face each other in final fixture of the night in South Yorkshire, where Wade will also face Adrian Lewis and van Gerwen takes on Phil Taylor.
They are the first of the players who will have to play two fixtures in one evening following the elimination of Wes Newton and Gary Anderson in Brighton last Thursday.
‘Mighty Mike’, who lost out to Wade just a fortnight ago in Glasgow is looking forward to the challenge.
“I’d like to play five games every evening,” said van Gerwen, who is joint top of the league with Wade and Raymond van Barneveld.
“That’s not going to happen I know but I will enjoy playing two.
“I like to play darts and I like to win. I don’t really care about playing more games because I like darts and I don’t worry about anything apart from winning each game.”
Second-placed Wade also goes into the evening in fine form after defeating Anderson last week and hitting seven doubles out of eight attempts in the process.
“My finishing is going well,” said Wade, the 2009 champion.
“But my scoring is getting there as well now and I’m feeling great.
“I’ve still got a lot more in the locker so hopefully I will peak at the right time as I’m definitely in it to win it.”
van Barneveld, who secured a fine win over Lewis last Thursday, faces Andy Hamilton in Sheffield, while Robert Thornton, who currently occupies the other play-off slot takes on Judgement Night survivor Simon Whitlock.
By Chris Murphy
Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC
McCoy’s Premier League Darts Week Ten April 11 – Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield
Robert Thornton v Simon Whitlock
Adrian Lewis v James Wade
Michael van Gerwen v Phil Taylor
Andy Hamilton v Raymond van Barneveld
James Wade v Michael van Gerwen
See some of the stars of Premier League Darts in action at the Portsmouth International Masters – Tickets available from www.dartshop.tv or call 08450 180 180 now.
Robert Thornton stunned Phil Taylor with a brilliant performance in Brighton, while James Wade and Michael van Gerwen moved joint top of the McCoy’s Premier League on Thursday evening.
Thornton moved into the play-off places at the expense of world number one Taylor as the Scotsman continued to impress on his debut season.
The reigning UK Open champion averaged well over 100 for the second week running as he claimed an impressive 7-4 success over ‘The Power’.
The victory moved ‘The Thorn’ onto eleven points and third in the table, as attention turns to the race for the play-offs after Wes Newton and Gary Anderson suffered relegation.
“I’m very proud of myself,” admitted Thornton, who has now won three of his last four televised matches against Taylor.
“Not just for tonight but for how I’ve taken to the Premier League so far.
“It was a huge relief to have not been in the relegation fight tonight so I just relaxed an enjoyed myself.”
Wade defeated Anderson in convincing fashion, with ‘The Machine’ hitting seven out of eight attempts at doubles en route to a 7-3 triumph.
“It is going really well this year,” said Wade, the 2009 winner.
“It wasn’t nice to knock Gary out of the tournament but I had a job to do and I did it.
“It puts me in a good position to reach the play-offs.
“I’ve set myself a target of winning two majors this year and hopefully this can be the first of those.”
van Gerwen joined Wade at the summit of the table with victory over Simon Whitlock, who survived relegation despite the defeat.
Raymond van Barneveld claimed a comfortable victory over Adrian Lewis to join van Gerwen and Wade on twelve points, while Andy Hamilton defeated Newton in the other match of the evening.
By Chris Murphy
Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC
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| After Week Nine | P | W | D | L | +/- | LWAT | Pts |
| Michael van Gerwen | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | +16 | 21 | 12 |
| James Wade | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | +13 | 19 | 12 |
| Raymond van Barneveld | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | +11 | 23 | 12 |
| Robert Thornton | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | +8 | 21 | 11 |
| Phil Taylor | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | +9 | 22 | 10 |
| Andy Hamilton | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | +2 | 18 | 10 |
| Adrian Lewis | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | -12 | 14 | 7 |
| Simon Whitlock | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | -15 | 16 | 6 |
| Relegated | |||||||
| Wes Newton | 9 | 2 | 1 | 6 | -14 | 15 | 5 |
| Gary Anderson | 9 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -18 | 13 | 5 |
Simon Whitlock faces a ‘Judgement Night’ showdown in Brighton as he and three other players battle to avoid being the first ever casualties of the new relegation format of the McCoy’s Premier League, which will see two players eliminated on Thursday night.
Whitlock, who has six points from the first eight weeks of action, faces Michael van Gerwen at the Brighton centre in the knowledge that victory will ensure his safety from the dreaded drop.
However, van Gerwen will prove a tough opponent as one of the players in a four way tie at the top of the table in the tightest ever staging of the tournament in it’s nine year history.
“I know it will be tough,” admitted Australian ace Whitlock.
“But every game has been tough for all of us. That is why it is so close.
“Whoever stays up will then have a great chance of going on to reach the play-offs.
“The good thing for me is that is in my own hands and I believe in myself. Hopefully, I have saved my best performance for when it really matters.”
Whitlock may avoid relegation before he faces ‘Mighty Mike’ if other results go his way.
James Wade takes on Gary Anderson and victory for ‘The Machine’ paired with defeat for Wes Newton against Andy Hamilton would see ‘The Wizard’ reach safety.
Wade, who is also on ten points after seeing off van Gerwen in Glasgow last week, is hoping continue his good form against 2011 winner Anderson, who is currently in the relegation zone.
“I want to keep playing well and winning games to reach the play-offs,” said 2009 champion Wade.
“It won’t be a nice thing to beat someone and relegate them but while it may be new in the Premier League it’s nothing new in darts.
“In most tournaments if you win, the other player goes out so I will just have that attitude against Gary.”
Raymond van Barneveld, another of the joint leaders, takes on Adrian Lewis and a victory for the Dutch legend would leave ‘Jackpot’ in danger of elimination and awaiting other results.
Robert Thornton takes on Phil Taylor in the only match that won’t affect the relegation battle.
The Scotsman reached safety with victory over Whitlock last week and is in a relaxed mood ahead of his tie against the world number one.
“Bring on Mr Taylor,” said Thornton, who defeated the 16-time World Champion twice on TV last year – including in the final of the UK Open.
“I know I can beat him and he knows he can beat me so it is all about how we perform on the night.
“I’m just glad to not be scrapping for survival and I can just concentrate on a game of darts.”
By Chris Murphy
Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC
| P | W | D | L | +/- | Pts | |
| Phil Taylor | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | +12 | 10 |
| Michael van Gerwen | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | +12 | 10 |
| James Wade | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | +9 | 10 |
| Raymond van Barneveld | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | +6 | 10 |
| Robert Thornton | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | +5 | 9 |
| Andy Hamilton | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| Adrian Lewis | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -7 | 7 |
| Simon Whitlock | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | -11 | 6 |
| Wes Newton | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -12 | 5 |
| Gary Anderson | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -14 | 5 |
Paul Nicholson was denied victory in a dramatic final of the European Darts Trophy in Sindelfingen as he was edged out by Wes Newton on Monday evening after a brilliant run.
‘The Asset’ scooped the £10,000 runners-up prize but two missed darts at doubles proved the difference between winning the tournament, with Newton taking a 6-5 victory in Germany.
Nevertheless, Nicholson, who was also runner-up at the Dutch Darts Masters last year, can take great pride from his performances over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, which included an impressive semi-final victory over the new world number two Michael van Gerwen.
‘The Asset’ began his campaign in the PDC’s second European Tour event of 2013 with a 6-5 defeat of Belgian ace Ronny Huybrechts on Saturday.
He then went on to see off Colin Lloyd by the same score-line on Sunday after launching an incredible comeback from 5-1 down to reach the last 16.
There the Australian star fought off the challenge of Yorkshireman Dean Winstanley, winning 6-4, before progressing past Mark Webster in the quarter-finals.
Nicholson, the 2010 Players Champion, produced a fantastic performance in the last four to claim a 6-2 triumph against van Gerwen but narrowly missed out on victory in the deciding leg in the final.
“I’m so glad that I came to Germany,” said Nicholson, who is appearing at the Allstars of Andover later this year.
He told the PDC’s official website: “It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride this weekend but I set myself a goal when I came here and I put myself within touching distance of that.
“I’m very proud of myself but I’m feeling gutted right now because I had a shot to win the tournament, but I feel that this can kick-start my year now.”
van Gerwen’s run to the semi-final help him leapfrog Adrian Lewis in the Order of Merit to a career high second place.
Webster also enjoyed a fine run of results as he defeated the likes of Andy Hamilton and Ian White before losing out to Nicholson.
By Chris Murphy
Image courtesy of Carsten Arlt/PDC Europe
Remaining tickets for Friday’s Belfast Masters, featuring Michael van Gerwen, Raymond van Barneveld, Simon Whitlock and Brendan Dolan, are available from www.dartshop.tv – call 08450 180 180 for further information.
Five of the world’s leading darters are preparing to go ‘topless’ for a major tournament – after agreeing to swap their trademark shirts for paint!
To celebrate its involvement in the fast-growing sport, Leyland Paints has created a Professional Darts Colour Card taking inspiration from the shirt colours of world number three, four and five players Michael van Gerwen, James Wade and Simon Whitlock, as well as Robert Thornton and Mark Webster.
That has prompted the quintet of oche favourites to agree to take to the stage at the UK Open at Bolton in June without their shirts, and instead cover their entire upper body in Leyland Paint, sprayed in their respective darts shirt colour.
“There are going to be some interesting sights with the five of us covered in sprayed on Leyland paint but it will be great fun,” said 44-year-old Australian Whitlock.
“I think my throwing arm will be freed up by replacing the shirt with spray paint so I’m convinced that all five of us will have a great tournament.”
The Colours of the Darts Scene card includes van Gerwen Green, named after the rising Dutch star, and Wizard Yellow for Whitlock.
Wade and Thornton will be represented by Machine Black and Thorny Blue, while former BDO world champion Webster – who is nicknamed Webby – will be sprayed in Red Back Spider for the UK Open.
Flight White and Oche Matt complete the card, which is called ‘Colours of the Darts Scene’.
“The inspiration for the colours came from the darter’s shirts and are all colours from the Leyland Trade colour range,” said Vicky Jones, stockist brand manager for Leyland Paints.
“We have given the colours special darts names for the occasion. After all, colour is highly emotive and these Colours of the Darts Scene certainly get the players in the mood for winning. You too could win with Leyland!”
*Please note – the above story was for the purposes of an April Fools joke… thankfully!
James Wade and Robert Thornton sealed impressive victories on night eight of the McCoy’s Premier League in Glasgow on Thursday evening.
Wade defeated Michael van Gerwen with another display of ruthless finishing to put himself on ten points alongside his Dutch opponent, Raymond van Barneveld and Phil Taylor in the play-off places.
‘The Machine’ took out finishes of 135, 134 and 130 to seal the win.
“This game is all about finishing and that’s been my strength again,” said Wade, who takes on relegation-threatened Gary Anderson in Brighton next week.
“Everyone knows the form that Michael has been in but mine has been picking up and nobody scares me.
“I’m putting the work in this year and it’s showing in my performances.”
Thornton assured he would not be involved in the ‘Judgement Night’ relegation scrap as he produced an excellent display in defeating Simon Whitlock.
‘The Thorn’ moved onto nine points after averaging over 107 to delight his home crowd, while ‘Barney’ was beaten by Taylor.
The night’s results mean Whitlock may have to get a result against van Gerwen if he is to avoid relegation in Brighton next week.
By Chris Murphy
Get tickets to see Michael van Gerwen, Raymond van Barneveld, Simon Whitlock and Brendan Dolan in action at the BELFAST MASTERS on Friday April 5 – visit www.dartshop.tv or call 08450 180 180
Raymond van Barneveld will reignite his rivalry with world number one Phil Taylor in Glasgow, where James Wade and Michael and van Gerwen will meet on Thursday evening.
‘Barney’ will meet the ‘The Power’ for the first time since their high profile World Championship semi-final clash at Alexandra Palace.
But the Dutchman, who is one of two players already safe from the threat of relegation, says the pair have left that affair in the past.
“We’ve solved what happened at the World Championship and we’re still friends,” van Barneveld told www.pdc.tv
“We’ll forget all about that game this week and I have to because it’s a big game.
“In all these years in the Premier League I’ve never beaten him and only got one draw, so it would be a dream to beat him. I know I can do it but I’ll have to lift my game from last week when I drew with James Wade.
“This is a shorter format than the World Championship, the best of 12 legs, so I know I have to start well. I didn’t play my game in the first four or five sets the last time we played and I’m not sure why.
“Perhaps it was because he is Phil Taylor, but I played so many great matches in the World Championship up to that point and against him I didn’t turn up.
“When I did turn up I was 5-1 down and it was a tough battle because from that far behind against Phil Taylor you’re never going to beat him.”
Wade will do battle with the other player who can’t be relegated in van Gerwen – in another repeat of the World Championship semi-finals.
Simon Whitlock and Robert Thornton will both be looking to add to their points tally and move closer to safety when they go head to head, with ‘The Thorn’ enjoying home advantage.
Gary Anderson meets Wes Newton while Adrian Lewis and Andy Hamilton do battle in the evening’s other matches.
The ten Premier League players will then become eight when they head to Brighton for the final week of action before relegation in what is being billed as ‘Judgement Night’.
By Chris Murphy
Image courtesy of Lawrence Lustig/PDC
It all started in Belfast back at the beginning of February when thousands of darts fans packed into the Odyssey Arena to see the best arrow flingers in the world showcase their talent.
Now, three of the stars of the incredibly popular Premier League Darts are heading back to the city to treat fans to another night of superb sporting entertainment.
Table-topping Dutch duo Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld spearhead the brilliant line-up on show at the inaugural Belfast Masters, which takes place at The Devenish Entertainment and Leisure Complex next Friday (5 April), to take on some local hopefuls and fellow professionals.
They will be joined by Simon Whitlock following the much-hyped ‘Judgement Night’ which will see hundreds of thousands of viewers tune in to see which two stars will suffer the fate of relegation from the Thursday night tournament.
Over a thousand fans are set to flock to the Devenish to see their darting heroes in more intimate surroundings, with VIP ticket holders getting the exclusive chance to meet the players.
Northern Ireland’s very own History Maker Brendan Dolan will also compete in the biggest darts show Belfast has ever seen aside from the Premier League itself.
Four local men have earned the right to share the stage with the darting elite. Gary Elliot, Dave McCusker and two players with the same name, John Elder, will take on the professionals in the main event, an eight-man knockout tournament.
The night will also see two challenge matches, including one between Northern Ireland Darts legends Geoff Wylie and John Magowan to warm up the crowd.
And van Gerwen, the leader of the Premier League, can’t wait to get back to Belfast.
“I’m really looking forward to going back for this event with a chance to meet the fans,” said ‘Mighty Mike’.
“I made me Premier League debut in Belfast and the crowd were really great to me so it will be great to be back.
“It will be a night of great darts, which we will all want to win but we will have a lot of fun too.
“Fans should snap up the remaining tickets as they won’t be disappointed.”
A range of ticket options are available and can be purchased directly from The Devenish (02890 301154) or via the event’s promoters MODUS Sports Management online at www.dartshop.tv or by calling the box office 08450 180 180.
A limited number of tickets will be made available on the door on the night of the event.
Darts will be back at the Devenish just a fortnight later when professional player Chris Mason takes to the stage for a charity night in support of Cedar Foundation on Saturday 20 April.
Michael van Gerwen charged to the top of the McCoy’s Premier League with a fantastic victory in Cardiff, where James Wade and Raymond van Barneveld shared a draw on Thursday evening.
van Gerwen produced a sensational display to take a 7-1 triumph against Gary Anderson, with the Dutch ace hitting consecutive checkouts of 121, 120 and 164 along the way.
The 23-year-old’s fourth win of the season, in which he averaged over 107, sent him to the summit of the table and clear of any relegation danger with ‘Judgement Night’ looming in two weeks.
“I played really well and I’m very happy with this,” van Gerwen told www.pdc.tv
“My finishing at the beginning of the game was very good with those three ton-plus finishes but I was playing so well that I didn’t give Gary any chances.
| P | W | D | L | +/- | Pts | |
| Michael van Gerwen | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | +15 | 10 |
| Raymond van Barneveld | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | +10 | 10 |
| Phil Taylor | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | +8 | 8 |
| James Wade | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | +6 | 8 |
| Andy Hamilton | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | +3 | 8 |
| Robert Thornton | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | -1 | 7 |
| Simon Whitlock | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | -5 | 6 |
| Adrian Lewis | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -10 | 5 |
| Gary Anderson | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | -12 | 5 |
| Wes Newton | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -14 | 3 |
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